“Be ready when my name is called. “ This is the phrase most used by substitutes in team sports. In basketball, the NBA or elsewhere, it has even become a threadbare cliché, as it is repeated.
But like all clichés, there is some truth in this statement. Amath M’Baye proved it again against Slovenia. The interior had played only 18 minutes in two matches since the start of the Euro, helmed by Guerschon Yabusele and Vincent Poirier.
The forfeit of the first for this last group match therefore finally offered an opportunity to the strong winger to show himself.
“It’s the first time it’s happened to me and I didn’t know I would be able to do it”, he admits like this. “I’m glad to find out that it is. I have been a professional for ten years and I try to be one in attitudes and behavior. “
In 34 minutes, the interior compiled 13 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. A solid performance, but logically overshadowed by the defeat of the Blues and especially by the 47 points of Luka Doncic.
“He is one of the basketball superstars in the world,” he continues, speaking of the Dallas player. “Night after night he shows why. It was impressive. Afterwards there are a lot of things that we could have done better to get the ball out of his hands, to force his teammates to produce a little more. “
The next step is the round of 16 against Turkey, tomorrow at 12 p.m. (Canal+ Sport 360). A country that Amath M’Baye knows well since he spent the last three seasons at Pinar Karsiyaka and will evolve during the next exercise at Anadolu Efes Istanbul, the reigning double Euroleague champion.
” It is a pleasure. I will play against my coach next season. I hope I can win to come to training and break his balls every day. “
